Joint Land Use Study for Naval Air Station/ Joint Reserve Base (NAS/JRB) Willow Grove, Horsham Township
In 1999, in an effort to coordinate future planning and minimize adverse impacts from aircraft operations, a Joint Land-Use Study (JLUS) was initiated by Horsham Township for the NAS/JRB Willow Grove and the surrounding communities. The purpose of the study was to review the existing zoning codes and subdivision and land development ordinances in force for areas in the vicinity of NAS/JRB Willow Grove and compare these with the noise and safety impact zones being developed in the NAS/JRB Willow Grove AICUZ update. The intent of this study was to reduce unacceptable noise impacts, minimize risks of injury, loss of life, personal and property hazards, and interference with base operations. This work was performed under a contract with Horsham Township, PA and overseen by the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment. Three local jurisdictions participated in this study.
NASJRB Willow Grove is located approximately fifteen miles to the north of Philadelphia, PA. Aircraft activity at the airfield is made up of military fixed-wing and rotary wing operations as well as aircraft maintenance functions. It is home to reserve units of all the military services as well as the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. The base lies in close proximity on all sides with three suburban Philadelphia jurisdictions, and a total of about 5200 persons residing within the DNL 65 dB noise contours of the base. Absent compatible land use planning and zoning, there is considerable potential for additional development within the DNL 65 dB contours.
Under this contract, Wyle Laboratories developed a detailed Geographic Information System land-use map based from information provided by the participating jurisdictions. Compatible and incompatible land-uses were identified within designated noise level contours, clear zones and accident potential zones. Recommendations for updating the airport zoning regulations were made in the final report. Recommended zoning regulations included a no-build zone, an area requiring extra sound insulation for new development and a large area for disclosure of all NAS/JRB impacts. The final report contained a detailed draft amendment to the Horsham Township Zoning Code to implement the recommendations.